Word Frequency and Content Analysis Approach to Identify Demand Patterns in a Virtual Community of Carriers of Hepatitis C.
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Abstract
Background: Virtual social networks pose an important social resource for Brazilian HCV carriers who face several obstacles in adapting to everyday difficulties.
Objective: Identify Patterns of Recurring Demands (PRD) expressed in messages posted by members of virtual communities dedicated to HCV carriers.
Methods: Pre-selection: we identified terms commonly associated to HCV on generic internet searches (Primary Keywords - Kp); Kps were used to identify the most representative HCV communities in a virtual community site (Orkut®); all messages published along 8 years on all topics of the community were collected and tabulated; the word frequency was used to construct a “word cloud†(graphic representation of the word frequency ) on which was applied a content analysis technique.
Results: the most cited terms expressed : search for information about medications (prescribed and “forbiddenâ€); emphasis on counting time which were interpreted as surviving expectations; frequent mention of God, doctors and “husbands†(female carriers were 68%). These elements provided material for further research – they will be useful on the construction of categories in discourse analysis.
Conclusions: The word frequency / content analysis approach expressed needs of social support and material assistance that may provide subsidies for public health policies aimed to HCV carriers. The study of Patterns of Recurring Demands (PRD) by word frequency may be useful in identifying demands underestimated by other means.
Objective: Identify Patterns of Recurring Demands (PRD) expressed in messages posted by members of virtual communities dedicated to HCV carriers.
Methods: Pre-selection: we identified terms commonly associated to HCV on generic internet searches (Primary Keywords - Kp); Kps were used to identify the most representative HCV communities in a virtual community site (Orkut®); all messages published along 8 years on all topics of the community were collected and tabulated; the word frequency was used to construct a “word cloud†(graphic representation of the word frequency ) on which was applied a content analysis technique.
Results: the most cited terms expressed : search for information about medications (prescribed and “forbiddenâ€); emphasis on counting time which were interpreted as surviving expectations; frequent mention of God, doctors and “husbands†(female carriers were 68%). These elements provided material for further research – they will be useful on the construction of categories in discourse analysis.
Conclusions: The word frequency / content analysis approach expressed needs of social support and material assistance that may provide subsidies for public health policies aimed to HCV carriers. The study of Patterns of Recurring Demands (PRD) by word frequency may be useful in identifying demands underestimated by other means.
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